As Lira walked towards training ground, she sees that many of other people are allready gathering. She is standing behind them and observes what will happen. Strong big men comes towards the group.
: I am your subtitute training teacher Duke, take your stances, gather by two people and start training against each other. Lets me not hear any whining. If you practice properly, you will live properly.
Many of them hurries and grouped by two. Lira looked around and joined to small boy near her.
The moment the word "Start" echoed through the training grounds, a wave of tension pulsed through the air. Sparks flared, small gusts danced between the students, and murmurs of concentration filled the space.
Lira focused, trying to draw strength from the earth below. She knelt slightly, extending her hand, palm-down, toward the soil. After a moment's deep breath, a small vine curled up from the dirt—thin, trembling, but real. She managed to guide it forward just a few inches before it lost strength and drooped.
Beside her, the small boy furrowed his brow in frustration. He held both hands forward, summoning what looked like a sphere of misty water that kept collapsing back into droplets before it could hold form.
They exchanged an awkward glance but didn't speak. Just focused.
The substitute teacher—Duke—stomped past them, heavy boots thudding like hammers against the earth. He watched their struggling forms, arms crossed.
"You two," he barked. "You're both softer than overcooked roots. Elemental power's not born from politeness—it's carved from will! Again!"
Lira winced slightly but gave a silent nod. Her heart thudded with a mix of frustration and determination. She closed her eyes for a brief second...
Root yourself.
The vine emerged again—this time a little stronger. And the boy's ball of water shimmered a heartbeat longer before slipping through his fingers.
They weren't perfect, but they were improving. And they both felt it.
Quiet progress, beneath loud demands.
As the lesson extended into the evening under the watchful eye of Teacher Duke, everyone was tired and sweaty.
Suddenly, the teacher called out in his strong voice, "Stop for today! We're done. Go and freshen up for dinner. I shall come every week for one afternoon—you're all too soft."
He turned away, and the group let out a collective sigh of relief.
Lira felt exhausted, but she noticed that all the training had been worth it. Her vines were a little stronger.
She said goodbye to the boy and headed to her room. Her special shower, which always knew the perfect temperature, was waiting for her. After refreshing herself, she sank into bed, and the heaviness of the day pulled her swiftly into sleep and dreams.
The soft golden light of early morning filtered through her curtains as Lira slowly opened her eyes. Muscles sore from the previous day's training, she stretched beneath the covers and let out a soft sigh. She remembered the vines responding better, a small but promising improvement. That alone made the aches worth it.
After a quick wash and tying her hair back, she gathered her potion pouch and the protective amulet, then quietly slipped outside. The path to the forest was quiet, the dew still fresh on the leaves. As she neared the forest's edge, a soft rustle caught her attention. The fox stood there again, watching her with calm, intelligent eyes.
Lira smiled, bowing her head slightly.
"You're waiting for me again?"
The fox turned and walked into the misty trees. Lira followed.
Step by step, the forest opened its hidden paths. When she slowed to admire something, the fox paused, then continued once she caught up. They reached the ruins quickly. She could already feel the portal's hum from within the stone hall. Together, they stepped through.
The grove greeted her with the same quiet energy. The massive tree stood tall, and the brewing table beneath it was already set with fresh herbs.
Lira spent a few quiet hours brewing. She mixed familiar potions first, refining their ingredients and heating times with more precision than before. Then she tried two new recipes from the slowly forming book. One of them gave off a silver shimmer when stirred correctly—she made sure to bottle it carefully.
As she finished the last of the brewing, she noticed how effortlessly the herbs were replenishing. The grove truly was a magical place of learning.
With her pouch refilled and the table tidied, Lira turned toward the portal. The fox, already standing near it, waited for her. As they exited the grove, Lira gave a soft whisper.
"Thank you for showing me the way again."
They emerged at the forest edge. The morning light told her only minutes had passed. The fox gave a short nod before slipping back into the trees.
Lira made her way back to her room to store the potions. After a quick change of clothes, she hurried toward the classrooms for her next session. She had lessons in magical theory and elemental balance today—subjects she still struggled with. But her determination had grown stronger.
After all, the competition was approaching. She would stand among potion masters from across the region. She had no time to waste.
And so the days passed, each one marked by quiet rituals.
In the early mornings, she followed the fox into the ruins, stepping through the portal into the grove beneath the great tree. There, she brewed potions in the stillness, refining her skill and deepening her connection to the magical plants that always seemed to renew themselves just for her.
Later, she attended classes—learning theory, practicing control of her elemental powers, and pushing her limits during the training sessions with Duke.
Each night she returned to her room, tired but fulfilled. The fogged page in her potion book slowly took shape, revealing more of the fox and the mysteries it represented.
Her collection of potions grew steadily. So did her confidence.
Then, at last, the morning of the competition arrived.
Lira stood before the tall doors of the Great Hall, dressed in her school robes, her potion pouch secured at her side. The protective amulet rested beneath her collar, warm against her skin. Her fingers brushed over it briefly—out of habit, out of gratitude.
Standing by the entrance was Potion Master Therin, his silver-stitched robe glinting faintly in the sun. His sharp eyes watched her as she approached, then softened slightly.
"You're right on time," he said, nodding. "You've prepared. I can feel it."
Lira offered a respectful bow. "I'm ready."
Therin gave her a faint smile. "Then let's show them what a quiet girl with wild herbs can do."
As they stood before the grand hall, Teacher Therin reached into his satchel and pulled out what looked like a dried pumpkin-shaped flask. Lira tilted her head in curiosity.
Without a word, he swiped his hand over it, and the flask shimmered, expanding swiftly until it stood the size of a small vehicle, its surface smooth and faintly glowing with golden runes.
"Come on then," Therin said with a rare, crooked smile. He stepped onto the flask as it hovered slightly above the ground.
Lira climbed on behind him, gripping the edge cautiously.
"Hold on," he said, with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Before she could ask what for, the flask surged upward, wind whipping through her hair as they shot into the sky, racing through clouds and wind currents toward the distant mountain range where the competition was held. Fields and rivers blurred below them, and Lira's heart beat fast with a mix of thrill and nerves.
"Try not to throw up," Therin shouted over the wind, only half joking.
She held on tighter and laughed despite herself. The journey had begun.
As they stood before the grand hall, Teacher Therin reached into his satchel and pulled out what looked like a dried pumpkin-shaped flask. Lira tilted her head in curiosity.
Without a word, he swiped his hand over it, and the flask shimmered, expanding swiftly until it stood the size of a small vehicle, its surface smooth and faintly glowing with golden runes.
"Come on then," Therin said with a rare, crooked smile. He stepped onto the flask as it hovered slightly above the ground.
Lira climbed on behind him, gripping the edge cautiously.
"Hold on," he said, with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Before she could ask what for, the flask surged upward, wind whipping through her hair as they shot into the sky, racing through clouds and wind currents toward the distant mountain range where the competition was held. Fields and rivers blurred below them, and Lira's heart beat fast with a mix of thrill and nerves.
"Try not to throw up," Therin shouted over the wind, only half joking.
She held on tighter and laughed despite herself. The journey had begun.
As they flew for what felt like an hour, Lira's eyes caught sight of something on the horizon—like a shimmer of color spilled across the earth.
"There it is," Teacher Therin said, nodding ahead.
The wind whipped past them as the bustling town grew clearer. Bright banners fluttered high above tall tents and buildings, painted in deep blues, golds, and reds. Floating lanterns bobbed gently in the air while multicolored ribbons streamed between poles like dancing lines of light.
The closer they came, the more alive the city felt—practitioners in robes of every hue flew in from different directions, some on flasks like theirs, creatures, or enchanted tree sticks. In the streets below, beings of all shapes bustled about—some walked on two legs, others flew, skittered, or slithered.
Lira noticed magical creatures in cages, waiting to be bought or traded, and others freely trotting behind their bonded humans. The air buzzed with excitement, power, and just a hint of chaos.
With a gentle dip and smooth landing, Therin brought the flask to rest at the edge of the festival square.
As soon as their feet touched the cobbled ground, a woman in a deep emerald cloak approached with a scroll in her hand and a faintly glowing crystal badge pinned to her shoulder.
"You must be Master Therin and student Lira," she said with a kind but sharp voice. "Welcome to the City of Arvellien. You're just in time to register—please follow me."
Therin gave Lira a short glance. "Time to step into it. Ready?"
Lira took a breath and nodded. "Yes."
Together, they followed the woman toward the grand pavilion ahead.